Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste

Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

- Matthew 12:22-32

"Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’" In the beginning of today's reading, we have clear indication of Jesus' messianic status. It is interesting to note this after yesterday's reading, which linked Jesus with Isaiah's prophecies concerning the Messiah, and told us of Jesus' order that those whom he cured not make him known. When the blind receive their sight and the deaf hear, this is a clear sign of messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. "Can this be the Son of David?" is therefore an appropriate question, because the "Son of David" is another title for the Messiah.

We know from Wednesday's reading that already the Pharisees are provoked by Jesus' healing on the sabbath, and that they are plotting against him. So, when people begin to ask themselves if He can be the Messiah after yet more powerful and meaningful healings, the Pharisees go on the attack. They declare that Jesus' power comes not from the Spirit of God, but by Beelzebul. Beelzebul or Beelzebub/Baal was the prince perhaps of "the dung heap" or "the flies," according to my study bible - a god worshipped by the Philistines (2 Kings). Here this god is called the ruler of the demons by the Pharisees.

Jesus goes on to point out that demons do not fight against other demons; a kingdom divided cannot stand. "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?" But more than this, he questions then by what power the Pharisees' own exorcists do their work. I think it's important to understand that the meek and gentle Jesus does not refrain from defending himself and speaking the truth to his accusers - nor from turning the tables on them in their hypocrisy. "If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges."

'But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.' Jesus' logic turns to the reasonable alternative to their accusation: they are in the presence of the power of God at work, and therefore it is "the kingdom that has come near to them." This is an echo of the phrase which Jesus has taught his apostles to preach as they travel on their ministry. In his person, in his name, and in the power he shares, "the kingdom of heaven has come near" -- it is present to us. 'Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.' This is a mighty kingdom in opposition to the demonic.

'Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.' My study bible notes that those who are listening to Jesus do not yet know much about the Son of Man. But the works of power as both noted and prophesied in the Old Testament are those things with which these experts on scripture and the law are familiar. To attribute actions and power of the Holy Spirit to demonic activity is therefore a grave sin, for which they are responsible. This "kingdom that has come near" once again carries with it a deep responsibility for those who are witness to its actions and power, as we have seen in so many other readings (like this one, for example).

What does it mean to stand in the presence of spiritual power; that is, the power of the kingdom of heaven? We must remember that Jesus here separates his identity as an incarnate human being from the acts of spiritual power that are at work through him (and his followers) in the divine nature that he shares, and the action of the Holy Spirit. In what ways can we understand the nature of this Spirit? We recall it described in the book of John to Nicodemus, when Jesus spoke of being born again: "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." What we see, however, are the effects of the Spirit, and what we sense with open hearts must be that Spirit. My study bible notes: "This blasphemy is willful hardness of heart. It attributes the saving action of the Spirit to Satan and refuses to accept God's forgiveness and mercy." Traditionally, "hardness of heart" or "a stony heart" is associated with the inability to accept or receive spiritual reality, God's goodness. Can you think of ways in which acts of mercy or love are branded with scathing criticism? In what ways can we reflect on the notion of "a stony heart?" Have you experienced this judgment in your own life?